A £1million digital training programme have launched for workers in Preston.

Last November, Preston City Council put a call out for experienced partners to deliver a range of skills development programmes to support local people as part of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme.

Councillors agreed to invest more than £1million of their UKSPF allocation specifically to target and enhance employability and skills across the city. 

Read more: Preston community group dances in solidarity with One Billion Rising

Preston-based UK Skills Academy won the contract to deliver a digital skills programme for city-wide businesses and working people in Preston.

The aim of the programme is to encourage people to develop the digital literacy skills and knowledge needed in a digital world and to support small and medium-sized enterprises and their staff to adapt to the digital workplace.

Cllr Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said: “We were extremely impressed with UK Skills Academy and their track record in upskilling both employees and organisations alike.

“We will be investing £90,000 in UKSPF funding in the programme to enable the team to work with Prestonians to enhance their employability and ensure they are better equipped to compete in the job market.”

UK Skills Academy is an experienced training provider with over ten years’ proven experience delivering similar skills development training in the North West.  

The organisation delivers a wide range of digital skills development programmes, stretching from the basics to Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications.

Learners on the programme will be able to select units in a Pick and Mix approach to build a learning plan that is tailored to their role and development needs.

Read more: The Larder café closes after long-running dispute with Preston City Council

Gemma Beech, Chief Executive of the UK Skills Academy said: “We are delighted to have won this procurement in our home city and be able to give back to businesses through digital upskilling.

“We are looking forward to delivering this programme over the next two years and building long-lasting relationships with Preston Council moving forwards.”

The programme is open to Preston residents or employees working for Preston-based businesses.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines